Like X (formerly Twitter), my favorite fall airshow has altered its name. Actually, it changed subtly over 16 years of operation but is now called the Midwest Aviation Expo, or MAX.
The major airshows have changed, too. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh was formally just “Oshkosh,” unless you live in Oshkosh, in which case it’s merely “EAA.” In Lakeland, Florida, Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo is widely known simply as “Sun ‘n Fun.” Few pilots will use the longer title.
MAX is Midwest Aviation Expo. Maybe it took 16 years, but that is one snazzy, snappy marketing handle for the main event of the light aviation crowd. The big shows apparently like long, descriptive, all-inclusive names, but “MAX” handily outshines them, IMHO.
MAX 2024
A few aircraft vendors who committed to exhibit space have challenges arriving each year. That happens at the big shows, too. MAX follows AirVenture by a month and the huge Wisconsin event strains both staff energy and company finances. In some cases, a supplier may have sold all their aircraft and have nothing to display.
Nonetheless, “I counted 32 exhibitors that arrived for the show,” said airport manager Chris Collins. He also noted a few other statistics. “Just over 600 aircraft operations were conducted (see FlightAware graph) — a new record!”
In other comparisons, Chris noted, “We sold 733 gallons of mo-gas — up 67% from 440 gallons in 2023, another new record!” He also identified that 118 transient visitors arrived in their own aircraft. That number does not include airplanes in exhibits.
Bathawk seen on the flight line of MAX ’24. —many photos here by Vickie Betts
Of course, the number of pilots attending MAX 2024 is far different than the enormous throngs that attend the two major events. Yet that isn’t a useful measurement because visitors get a different experience in Mt. Vernon. At MAX, an interested pilot can likely ask the seller all the questions he or she has. Even better, you can probably get a demo flight in one or more aircraft that truly interest you.
Right Time of Year
From its first year in 2009, Chris and team have subtly shifted the dates, seeking the right combo that is not on a major holiday yet provides accommodating weather. Clearly, the Mt. Vernonites found the magic.
MAX partner, Jana Filip excitedly noted, “We had great weather, all three days! Zero rain. Aircraft were flying all day long, every day!” That is indeed the magic for attendees looking to check out an aircraft they hope to purchase.
“It was a most exciting year for Midwest Aviation Expo,” continue Jana. “With a name change, formerly Midwest LSA Expo, now Midwest Aviation Expo — hence ‘MAX’ — the operation functioned seamlessly.”
Since I’ve long stressed the value of demo flying, let’s make a comparison. At Sun ‘n Fun, LSA and Sport Pilot kit aircraft suppliers can fly from the Paradise City turf runway with great ease. They do exactly that, with many demo flights taken. One downside is that so many are operating from that runway that it can become congested and pilots must watch a wide variety of traffic very closely.
At AirVenture, the Fun Fly Zone airstrip is also busy but even less accommodating of demo flights partly due to an awkward approach to landing. EAA has longer-term plans to completely alter this. While that will be most welcome, it will take time and then every vendor starts again to pick the right location for their display.
Conversely, MAX offers the #1 easiest place to demo fly that I have ever seen. During the event, the airport “belongs” to the light aircraft crowd. The runways are wide and long. Congestion is never a problem. If you plan well, you could take several demo flights — most vendors have a schedule and you should get on them if you want to get the most out of your visit.
MAX “concentrates, encourages, and rewards for demonstrations flights during the three-day sport aviation event,” observed Jana. “Our new motto is, ‘Fly it! Buy it!’. And they did…”
“To encourage the promotion of demonstration flights,” Jana continued, “the Midwest Aviation Expo hosts daily Dance Cards for the Daily Demo Derby.” Event organizers started encouraging exhibitors to book their demo flights during AirVenture as MAX follows only five weeks later. Clearly, they followed the advice and filled their slots for 2024.
Does the Daily Demo Derby work? With that kind of airport encouragement, you bet it does. Vendors compete vigorously. It’s a triple win: customers get aloft in aircraft of interest; vendors qualify more potential customers and get to show off their flying machines; the airport gets lots of activity (graph).
Already lined up for MAX 2025 is sponsor RT Aviation, representing Aeropilot and Atec. Airport manager Chris Collins (L) poses with the RT team.
And, yes, winners emerge. “On Thursday RT Aviation won with Rans close behind,” noted Jana. “On Friday Piston Aviation won the Derby with their fleet of four Bristell LSA. Piston repeated on Saturday; their Chief Demo Pilot gets big kudos,” Jana exclaimed!
What do these winners accomplish? On Saturday, Piston Aviation and their Bristell fleet delivered 18 demo flights, the most ever by one exhibitor on a single day. Total demo flights recorded at KMVN over three days was 98. “This was way up over years prior,” Jana said.
That leads to the final magic. Organizers reported 16 sales were made over three days and my regular surveying of aircraft sales at events suggests at least an equal number could follow in a few months afterward.
By any measure MAX has become a solid success. The aircraft sales put wide smiles on the faces of pilots and that’s a value that’s hard to beat.
Still to Come
from MAX ’24
In addition to this overview, I am planning a report on Future Vehicles Dingo and the Atec 212 Solo sold by RT Aviation. Thanks to Vickie Betts, I also secured enough video footage to complete a video interview with Rans’ Michele Schlitter shot at last year’s event. I hope you’ll return to read or watch these upcoming stories.
Finally, in a way to show the maturity of MAX, they already have a lead sponsor for the 2025 event. The team from RT Aviation will take that honor. It was provided for this year’s event by Daniela and Jeremy Knoll (nearby image) in their new enterprise of Rotax Service Center, Advanced Powerplant Solutions.
The 2024 event was dedicated to my longtime partner, “Videoman Dave” Loveman. One of the most vocal supporters of the Mt. Vernon show, Dave never missed until he succumbed to health challenges in fall of 2023.
Airshows Can’t Happen
Without Volunteers
(or Sponsors)
Volunteers and vendors alike help make MAX one of the friendliest and most helpful of airshow events.
Keeping safe operations flowing freely is this group of airside volunteers. Thanks, fellows!
Aircraft broker Eric Evans is a regular volunteer at MAX; he operates from KMVN airport. The annual fish fry was supported by Banterra and served by volunteers.
Financial services provider, Banterra, was a sponsor of MAX ’24 as well as the LAMA dinner sponsor at Sun ‘n Fun ’24. Thanks for great support!
The best light sport aircraft trade show in the US. Unfortunately we couldn’t be there this year but certainly in 2025! All the best to Chris and MVN friends.